Theodore f



(No Model.)

T. PLEMASSENA.

SHOE. No. 314,588. Patented Mar. 31, 1885.

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of shoes and boots.

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THEODORE F. LEWASSENA, OF NEW'ARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO LTLLIAN LEMASSENA, OF SAME PLACE.

SHOE.

SPECIFEC'ATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 31%,588, dated March 31, 1885.

Application filed September 17, 1834. (No model.)

To (LIZ whom it nut g concern.-

Be it known that I, THEODORE 1+. LEMAS; SENA, a citizen of the United States, residing in Newark, Essex county, New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Shoes, fully described and represent- I terproof japan, and to thus prevent the access ed in the following specification and the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the same.

This invention consists, first, in an improved article of manufacture, being a boot or shoe having a coating of flexible japan applied and baked upon the entire outer surface after the shoe is made; and, secondly, in a shoe made in one piece of leather scraps pasted and pressed together, and having a similar coating baked upon its entire outer surface, as in the drawing annexed.

'Heretofore japan has been applied to leather in the form of hides or sheets, and the japanned leather has thenbeen cut and made up by sewing and pegging into certain parts In such a method of manufacture thejapanned leather extends into the sewed joints, and, being of a very slippery character, is far more diffieult to secure permanently at the seams than a softer and consequently more adhesive material. Being rendered somewhat brittle by the previous japanning process, the leather is also more apt to break or crack where the stitches or pegs cut through it near the edge, and it is thus much more liable to tear loose from the sole than unjapanned leather. The japanning is also entirely ineffective in preventing the access of moisture to the inside of the shoe through the bottom or welt.

Myinvention is intended to furnish for certain purposes a water-proofjapanned shoe, and to avoid the defects inherent in the use of japanned leather as ordinarily used in such manufacture. The means by which this is accomplished consists, first, in applying the liquid japan to the exterior or interior of the boot or shoe, or to both; and, second, in baking the shoe in a hot oven in the usual manner for baking japanned articles until the volatile parts of the japan are entirely discharged, and a dry, polished, and flexible coating is formed upon the shoe.

By the finishing of the shoe before the same is japanned all the difficulties arising from the sewing of the japanned leather and the damage thereto in the process of shaping are avoided, while the baking of the japan into the substance of the finished article tends to saturate all the joints effectually with the tra of moisture tothe shoe from without at any point.

Although this invention is applicable to a shoe or boot made in any manner or of any substance, it is especially applicable to ashoe made of leatherscraps pasted together, so as to form a shoe in-one single piece, including the sole. For making such an article a metal or plaster form like a last is prepared, with a ridge or flange upon the ankle at the proper point to indicate the upper edge of the shoe. The last is then covered with scraps of leather, preferably of thin buffings, pasted over one another until the desired thick nessis obtained, and the material permitted to dry thereon until it will retain its shape perfectly.

External pressure in suitable molds may be applied to it before removal from the last, to perfect the form and to produce any desired impression upon the surface, and the shoe is then fully'dried and japanned in any convenient manner.

To facilitate the removal of the shoe from the last, the latter may be made in sections adapted to withdraw separately; or the top of the shoe may be formed with an opening down the middle and flaps at each side of the open-- ing, which flaps can be pasted together after the shoe is removed from the last. By this method of making a japauned shoe I am enabled to produce a highlyfinished shoe at a very low cost, and also secure entire protec tion from dampness.

When the entire outside of the shoe is japanned, as by my method, very little dirt will adhere to it, and it can be readily cleaned all over by the mere use of a damp rag. The japanning of the inside may also be made to take the place of lining of all kinds, and in such case costs less than the means ordinarily manner as for the leather shavings described above.

I am aware that indiarubber shoes are coated and baked in such manner as to pro duce a water-proof shoe, but not by the means or process I have described herein. I therefore disclaim such manufacture, and claim the specific improvements described herein, as folows:

1. A boot or shoe provided upon its entire outer surface with a coating of japan baked upon the shoe and its sole, substantially as described. Y

2. As an improved article of manufacture, a seamless boot or shoe formed of leather 15 scraps pasted or united together and japanned externally, substantially as herein set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

T. F. LEMASSENA.

Witnesses:

THOS. S. CRANE, WILLIAM R. WEEKs. 

